Newcastle United have acquired a new goalkeeper. Nick Pope joins the Magpies

England international goalkeeper Nick Pope is moving from Burnley, where he spent six years, to Newcastle United. The transfer fee is expected to be around eleven million euros. Pope will stay in the top English competition thanks to the transfer, while Burnley will start the new season in the Championship. Newcastle are bringing in the England international as their first signing of the summer.

Nick Pope became a Burnley player in 2016. From the number two who covered Tom Heaton’s back, he has become the unshakable number one of the team over time. In his breakthrough season, Pope recorded twelve clean sheets.

In the 2019/2020 season, he recorded a record fifteen clean sheets for Burnley. He was part of England’s selection at the World Cup in Russia and became the first England goalkeeper to record six consecutive clean sheets since his national team debut.

He began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, to whom he transferred in 2011. In the following years, he was a guest at several clubs playing in the lower English competitions. He then moved to Burnley.

During his six seasons at Burnley, Pope established himself as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers. His consistent performances led to a move to Newcastle United following Burnley’s relegation to the English second division.

That being said Pope stands out above all for his consistency. In three of the last four seasons in the Premier League he has recorded over ten clean sheets. Nick Pope does not stand out in the midfield, his pass success rate is under fifty percent – 44.5%.

Pope is a different goalkeeper than Ederson, Alisson, or Ramsdale. His style is also more traditional due to his height, which is two meters without two centimeters. Pope is excellent at centering balls and stands out with his reflexes.

He comes to Newcastle as the first signing of the summer. Newcastle under their new Saudi owners managed to bring in Englishmen Dan Burn, Matt Targett, New Zealander Chris Wood and Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes in the winter.

Pope is expected to take the place of Newcastle United’s number one goalkeeper. He will compete for the number one spot with Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka and Englishman Karl Darlow. Freddie Woodman has already left Newcastle United, transferring to League Two side Preston North End. It is expected that one of the Dúbravka – Darlow pairing will follow Woodman and leave the North of England team.

The arrival of Nick Pope has most likely uncorked Newcastle United’s transfer carousel and the team and fans are expecting more arrivals. The team is reportedly in talks to bring in stopper Sven Botman from Lille, winger Ekitike from French side Reims and Brazilian Lucas Paqueta.

Source: Burnley, Transfermarkt, WhoScored